Ugadi

Telugu Samvatsara 2074 Begins......Ugadi 2017

Hevilambi nama samvatsara

 Pratipada Tithi Begins = 05:56 on 28/Mar/2017
 Pratipada Tithi Ends = 03:14 on 29/Mar/2017

Ugadi is also spelled as Yugadi. Yugadi word has been taken from the Sanskrit words of “yuga” meaning ‘age’ and “adi” which combination is ‘the beginning of an era’. It is a New Year day for the Deccan region, the Southern part of India. Ugadi is celebrated in various parts of India with different names and have different & unique rituals for the day. This festival is celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh while in Maharashtra it is celebrated as Gudi Padwa. In Punjab it is celebrated as Baisakhi ‘the harvest festival’ while in Sindh, people celebrate same day as New Year Cheti Chand. In Tamil Nadu it is known as ‘Puthandu’ and ‘Vishu’ in Kerala. Ugadi, or Ugadhi, is the Kannada and Telugu New Year.

Ugadi is New Year according to Luni-Solar calendar. Luni-Solar calendars consider the position of the Moon and the position of the Sun to divide the year into months and days. The counter-part of Luni-Solar calendar is Solar calendar which considers only position of the Sun to divide the year into months and days. Because of that Hindu New Year is celebrated twice in the year with different names and at two different times of the year. 

The day begins with ritual oil-bath followed by prayers. Oil bath and eating .Neem leaves are must rituals suggested by scriptures. North Indians don’t celebrate Ugadi but start nine days Chaitra Navratri Puja on the same day and also eat Neem with Mishri on the very first day of Navratri.

                                  

On the Ugadi 2017 date i.e. 28th March, Telugu Samvatsara 2074 will begin. It is believed that God Brahma ‘one of the Hindu trinity’ had started creation of Earth on Ugadi day. Ugadi also marks thecommencement of the Spring Season. In this season Nature starts bring new and fresh leaves in plants.

Ugadi Festival Celebration:

Ugadi festival preparations start before one week in advance. People clean and wash their home and decorate it beautifully. People buy new clothes and other important items related to Ugadi festival rituals and dishes. On the days of Ugadi, people take a ritual bath early in the morning and chant mantras. After this, entrance of the home is decorated with fresh mango leaves and colourful rangolis. People do ritual worship with immense enthusiasm and devotion to get blessing on Telugu New Year. At many places, Kavi Sammelan has been organized and people also sing Bhakti songs.

On the auspicious day of Ugadi, people smeared cow dung in front of their home and place the Kalasha at the entrance of their home with coconut leaves. Various delicacies have been prepared at home some of the names are Ugadi Pachchadi, Payasam, Pongal and Pulihora. Ugadi Pachchadi is a traditional dish, especially prepared for the Ugadi festival by the people of Andhra Pradesh. This recipe is also known as ‘Bevu Bella’ in Kannada. Ugadi recipe is made with raw mango, Banana pieces, Neem leaves, Tamarind Juice, Green Chilli/Pepper, Jaggery and pinch of salt. This dish is a combination of sweetness, sourness and bitter. Sometimes only Jaggery and neem leaves will be eaten.

Ugadi Festival Facts:

There are lots of rituals and events, which have been performed during Ugadi festival. Below are some facts on Ugadi, which one must know.

1 - Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are the main states where Ugadi is celebrated with great zeal.

2 - Lord Brahma, Ganesha and Kartikeya are the main Gods of Ugadi.

3 - Cow dung is used at the outside of the home to purify the home and surrounding environment.

4 - The main ritual of Ugadi is Panchanga Sravanam.

5 - Kavi Sammelanam is one of the major events, organized in the states.

6 - Ugadi Pachadi is a compulsory dish, served during Ugadi.

7 – First day of the first month of Hindu calendar is known as Ugadi.

8 – Ugadi Pachadi six ingredients raw mango, tamarind, jaggery, neem, salt and chilli signify the six various flavors of life i.e. surprise, disgust, happiness, sadness, fear and anger.

9 – In Maharashtra, it is celebrated as Gudi Padwa, as Cheti Chand by Sindhis, as Navreh by Kashmiri Pandit, as Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba in Manipur, Thapna in Rajasthan, Baisakhi in Punjab and as Yugadi in Karnataka.

10 – This festival was started by Chhatrapati Shivaji in Maharashtra to cheer his victory.

11 – In Maharashtra, people made the special dish Shrikhand and Puran Poli at home.

12 – In Maharashtra, people created a gudi (doll) and placed it at the entrance of the home or outside the window/door.

13 – On this day, Konkani people prepare the “Kanangachi Kheer” which is cooked by using coconut milk, sweet potato, rice flour and jiggery.

14 – Special dishes prepared in different states not only show the cultural and traditional values but are helpful in purifying the blood and increasing the immunity system.

15 - According to mythology, it is believed that Lord Brahma started creation on this day - Chaitra Suddha Padhyami or Ugadi day.

16 – “Panchanga Shravanam” is a must-performed ritual of Ugadi, during this forecast of the New Year is recited.

Regional Names of Ugadi Festival:

Ugadi festival has different regional names in India. People living at the north of Vindhya hills called this festival by the name “Barhaspatyamana” and South of Vindhya hills call it by the name “Chandramana or Sauramana”. In Manipur state, people celebrate this day with the name “Sajibu Cheiraoba”.

The sixty names of Ugadi are Prabhava, Vibhava, Sukla, Pramodoota, Prajothpatti, Angeerasa, Sreemukha, Bhaava, Yuva, Dhaata, Eeswara, Bahu Dhaanya, Pramaadi, Vikrama , Vrusha, Chitra Bhaanu, Swabhaanu, Taarana, Paarthiva, Vyaya, Sarvajittu, Sarvadhaari, Virodhi, Vikruti, Khara, Nandana, Vijaya, Jaya, Manmatha, Durmukhi, Hevilambi ('l' as in Kaalika), Vilambi ('l' as in Kaalika), Vikaari, Sarvari ('Sa' as in saree), Plava, Subha Krutu, Sobha Krutu, Krodhi, Viswaa Vasu, Paraabhava, Plavanga, Keelaka, Soumya, Saadhaarana, Virodhi Krutu, Pareedhaavi, Pramaadeecha, Aananda, Raakshasa, Nala, Pingala ('l' as in Kaalika), Kaala Yukti, Siddhaardhi, Roudri, Durmathi, Dundubhi, Rudhirodhgaari, Raktaakshi, Krodhana and Kshaya.

             Ugadi subhakankshalatho ..........